VERNON — Two Vermont towns on the Connecticut River and the energy giant TransCanada will use a mediator as part of an effort to agree on the value of hydroelectric dams in Vernon and Rockingham so they can avoid a trial.

A spokesman for TransCanada Hydro Northeast said the company is appealing an “increase in property taxes” on four Vermont generating stations, Vernon and Rockingham, and two in the Northeast Kingdom.

The state and town appraise the Vernon dam at almost $40 million. TransCanada claims it’s worth just under $21 million. Vermont appraises the Bellows Falls dam at $108 million, TransCanada says $62 million.

TransCanada’s Davis Sheremata told the Brattleboro Reformer that they’re hopeful for a settlement.

Vernon attorney Richard Coutant said he doesn’t know how flexible the company will be.